QSP soldiers face GI Bill transfer deadline

Jan. 18, 2013 - 07:41AM
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Last Updated: Jan. 18, 2013 - 07:41AM |

Soldiers considered for involuntary separation by the Qualitative Service Program boards that met last fall face an approaching deadline if they want to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to dependents. (Mary Ann Chastain / The Associated Press)

Soldiers considered for involuntary separation by the Qualitative Service Program boards that met last fall face an approaching deadline if they want to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to dependents.

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Soldiers considered for involuntary separation by the Qualitative Service Program boards that met last fall face an approaching deadline if they want to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to dependents.

QSP screenings were held in October for sergeants first class and in November for command sergeants major and sergeants major.

The official results of those retention screenings will be approved Jan. 31.

That means soldiers who were considered by the boards must take action before Jan. 31 if they want to transfer their GI Bill education benefits.

The option of transferring benefits expires Jan. 31 for soldiers considered by the first quarter fiscal 2013 QSP boards.

Soldiers of the Regular Army and Active Guard and Reserve (Army Reserve) are entitled to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

These soldiers can transfer education benefits to members of their immediate family, but that option is not an entitlement.

For example, the transfer option expires when a soldier separates or retires.

Because the transfer option is designed as a retention incentive, enlisted soldiers who transfer benefits incur an additional service obligation of one to four years, depending on their personal situation. But the service obligation requirement does not apply to soldiers being separated under QSP.

"Soldiers selected for involuntary separation by the QSP board process who transfer education benefits before Jan. 31, 2013, will have the associated obligated service set aside," according to policy guidance issued Jan. 3 by the Office of the Army G-1 (Human Resources).